Well I Got My New Knee

[gab13by13]

Day before Thanksgiving, nerve block and spinal tap. Surgeon did it himself, no robot, in 1 hour.

Physical therapists showed up that evening and put me through exercises. 1 exercise Idrag my heel back to see how far I can bend my knee, I was feeling no pain, I dragged it back 121 degrees, set a record. I walked with a walker farther than they told me, shortly after, the nerve blocker wore off, I should have laid back some.
Last night I ditched the walker and went to the cane. My doing exercises back to September helped me recover quicker. Still can’t kick field goals but I am ahead of schedule.

Do those pre-surgery exercises early, especially if you are 77 years old and want a quick recovery.

[spooky3]

1. Glad you are doing so well! Nt

[gab13by13]

3. Thanks,

It still hurts, if I sit too long. Surgeon prescribed a continuous motion machine for me that automatically bends my knee. I can lay down and still be exercising.

[spooky3]

46. That's pretty normal. I hope you will keep seeing improvement. Hang in there! nt

[debm55]

2. Congratulations gab13by13, Are you still at UPMC Magee? or are you home? Good luck to you.on your recovery.

[gab13by13]

6. I got out on noon on Thanksgiving

I’m staying at my daughter’s house because UPMC uses their therapists in my home the 1st 2 weeks.
After that I go home and go to outpatient PT.

Knees are tough, they hurt, need to follow doctors orders.

[Scrivener7]

4. News of your amazing progress makes my day!

[gab13by13]

7. I should have laid back some

But I’m a Leo.

[XanaDUer2]

5. Glad you're doing well nt

[gab13by13]

8. Thanks

At the hospital they put a wrist band on me that says fall risk. Daughter made me keep it on to remind me to take it easy.

[viva la]

9. I'm so glad!

It takes courage after 70 to decide on surgery. But it sounds like you're already doing well because you took it seriously and did the prep work and the post-work too!
It hasn't even been a week, and you're walking with a cane already. You'll be kicking those field goals any time now!

[SheltieLover]

10. Good for you!

Glad to hear you are recovering so quickly!

Yes, the pre-surgery exercises help a lot, I'm sure.

[dem4decades]

11. You're my hero, i need 1 (or 2) and have put it off

But your surgical adventure has given me info that makes it seem reasonable. Thanks

[orleans]

12. that's great! i'm really happy for you! nt

[Kali]

13. I sucked using a cane

that should be another "pre" exercise! learning to walk correctly with a cane.

[Phentex]

14. Good to hear!

I need two good knees. Had issues with one but I know my day is coming!

[LoisB]

15. I'm glad you are doing so well.

[KPN]

16. Good job, good advice and good to hesr. Be careful

with that setting records stuff though.

[The Wizard]

17. I did both in early September

The first three weeks were a nightmare. Try getting off the couch without bending your knees. Three weeks after surgery I was walking around, albeit slowly, without help. Two weeks ago I walked a mile, first a half mile, and 30 minutes later another half. Every day I try something new. I see the surgeon next week to see if / when I can return to racquetball. My physical therapist says I'm way ahead of most people at this stage. I've been doing knee therapy since my knee was scoped 15 years ago when the surgeon said I was looking at buying two new knees. I put off total replacements as long as I could. I still can't run, but walking is easier. Start therapy as soon as possible and don't give up.
I also have 77 years under my belt.

[Marthe48]

18. Great news!

Be nice to yourself!

[BumRushDaShow]

19. One of my sisters got a new knee and new hip (she has had RA for about 30 years)

a few years ago. I was taking her to PT (she also had OT at home post-op for both replacements, where the replacements were a year or two apart), so I saw what all was involved with exercising these. She actually bought a (stationary) recumbent bike to use to exercise the knee.

[KitFox]

20. Excellent!

You are a great example of innovative surgery and a positive/determined outcome! Happy for you!

[Erda]

21. I'm very happy for you!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[GiqueCee]

22. You and I are the same age...

... and my knees and hip joints are crunchy. Proof that a rambunctious youth will catch up to you.

I'm considering which to do first. I've got a cataract procedure coming up, and some teeth that have given up the battle, so scheduling is a bit of a chore. I think mobility is the top priority. My wife's already had one hip done, and she's 10 years younger than me.

Good luck in your recuperation!

[homegirl]

23. Congratulations!

I have had both knees replaced! Wonders of modern medicine! If you have access to an indoor pool devote the rest of the Winter to in pool walking and exercising. Works wonders!

[Lulu KC]

24. Very wise of you!

Glad you are doing well.

[mountain grammy]

25. Good for you! Glad you're doing well

Please continue.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

26. Yeah

[COL Mustard]

27. It's no fun.

I went through TKR last summer and the first two weeks were unpleasant, but it's gotten significantly better since then. I did PT for several weeks after and am walking more or less normally now. I still feel it sometimes but it's nothing bad at all.

Good luck with your recovery!

[2naSalit]

28. Congrats!

But go easy on yourself. One of my friends was a little over confident a little too early and ended up falling and breaking the mend and ended up with a whole new replacement, was not a good thing. Pacing yourself is the best plan.

You're going to heal up just fine as long as you pace yourself.

[surfered]

29. You must be conscientious about therapy or scar tissue will form and you'll have reduced motion

Easy for me to say.,,good luck

[ProfessorGAC]

30. Good Work!

Had a golf buddy that had knee replacement.
He was a good boy & did everything recommended during recovery.
He was cleared to play golf about a month sooner than expected.
So, stick with the PT. If you're anything like him, you'll be happy you did it right.

[Bobstandard]

31. Secret to fastest recovery

Do the exercises your PT gives you exactly as often, exact number of reps, exact amount of effort. No more. No less.

Remember, no more, no less.

That’s the secret.

[Old Crank]

32. Keep doing your PT

Best of luck.

[FakeNoose]

33. Great news! Your diligence paid off

[Laffy Kat]

34. Whoa!

You are doing so great! Congratulations!

[DinahMoeHum]

35. Glad to know all went well with your surgery.

(Per our DMs back in February)

Remember to pace yourself, don't overdo it and follow your PT's instructions and advice exactly.

[calimary]

36. Awwwwww... that's TERRIFIC post-Thanksgiving news!

Wonderful to hear! Thanks for letting us know, gab13by13!

[Duncanpup]

37. Awesome 🤩

[sorcrow]

38. Good job, you.

[Just Jerome]

39. 121 degrees that night?

Absolutely insane!
Yes, it’s critical to do those exercises ahead of time and follow instructions from doc & pt.
I recovered quite well twice. Not quite age 70.
Did not do the whole regimen for the whole time prior to surgery, and had nowhere near the success you’ve had. Way to go, gab !

[COL Mustard]

44. On the night of surgery

You're still partially anesthetized, so yes, 121 isn't abnormal.

[Mr.Bill]

40. Glad to hear you are recovering nicely.

Keep up the good work and please keep us posted.

[Wounded Bear]

41. Don't know about kicking field goals...

But the Seattle Seahawks' punter was having back spasms. Keep your phone close.

[HeartsCanHope]

42. Congratulations on the new knee!

Hope that you continue to recover well, and are back to your regular activities in record time! Stay well.

[iluvtennis]

43. Congrats - love your tactics to help/recover as quickly as is feasible. n/t

[CousinIT]

45. Glad you're doing well! Great advice re: the pre-surgery exercises.

Hope you can enjoy your bionic knee pain-free once it’s all healed.

[AllaN01Bear]

47. ""

now the real healing begins . if therapy , finish it. friend of mine didnt do that when he got his knees and paid for it. blamed the drs instead.

[electric_blue68]

48. Congrats, and continued healing!

My sis is doing pre PT, so probably sometime next year for the worst one if not both at a later date for the second one.

Goid to hear about a good experience. 👍

[bluboid]

49. you are a brave & tough soul...

best of luck for a speedy recovery.

[SpankMe]

50. Healthy knees

You're going to need that knee for all the GOP ass-kicking we'll be doing together over the coming months and years. Stay healthy!

[FSogol]

51. Did they let you keep the old knee? Also, I remember an episode where

Steve Austin jumped over a fence. Have you tried that yet?